Blueprint folding machine



Aug. 7, 1962 D. F. SALMON ETAL 3,048,390

BLUEPRINT FOLDING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 14, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 1952 D. F. SALMON ET AL 3,048,390

BLUEPRINT FOLDING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 14, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENTORS. DAVlD F. SALMON Aug. 7, 1962 D. F. SALMON ETAL BLUEPRINT FOLDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Dec.

INVENTORS. DAVID F. SALMON .ZEE T. ZINN ATTOR EYS.

Aug, 7, 1962 D. F. SALMON ETAL 3,048,390

BLUEPRINT FOLDING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 14, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 JNVENTORS. DAVID F. SALMON. BY JOE T. ZINN.

ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent G 3,048,390 BLUEPRINT FOLDING MACHINE David F. Salmon, Nashville, Tenn, and Joe T. Zinn, Oklahoma City, ()kltu, assiguors to Avco Corporation, Nashville, Tenn., a corporation of Delaware Original application Dec. 14, 1959, Ser. No. 859,360. Di-

vided and this application Aug. 1, 1960, Ser. No.

1 Claim. (Cl. 270-73) The present invention relates to blueprint folding machines and provides a novel machine which transforms the continuous output of a blueprint machine into a plurality of compact prints or work units in double crossfolded accordion form. This application is a division of US. application Serial No. 859,360, filed December 14, 1959, also entitled Blueprint :Folding Machine, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application and invention.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved slack take-up for a blueprint folding machine which machine cooperatively accepts the output of a blueprint machine and transforms the same into a plurality of double cross-folded accordion prints.

Another object of the invention is to provide a slack take-up device for incorporation in a blueprint folding machine which machine automatically severs an individual print or work unit from the continuous output (or supply) of the blueprint machine, performs the pleating and double cross-folding operations on this work unit, deposits the same in a delivery tray, and then automatically repeats the operation at a rapid rate.

Another object of the invention is to provide a blueprint folding machine which operates in the manner described in the parent patent application Serial No. 859,360 without requiring that the blueprint machine (hereinafter referred to as the supply machine) be stopped, this object being accomplished by a novel slack take-up device incorporated in our machine and operating in such a manner that, while pleating of a given work unit is being completed and while the leading edge of the supply is being held stationary, the slack occasioned by the continuous feeding of the blueprint by the supply machine toward this leading edge is taken up, so that the supply print is maintained in a tensile condition.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, advantages, and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the appended description of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the blueprint folding machine of a blueprint folding machine incorporating the invention, this view being taken from the frontal aspect, the back of the machine being the portion adjacent the blueprint supply ma chine 15;

FIG. 2 is a schematic and skeletonized outline of the principal elements of the FIG. 1 embodiment, showing them generally in side elevational view, this figure being provided for the purpose of explaining a typical mechanical cycle of operation of our novel blueprint folding machine;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are side and front views, respectively, of our novel slack take-up device;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a preferred form of electrical control system of a blue print folding machine incorporating the invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the double cross-folding mechanism included in our novel blueprint folding machine as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 1.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a conventional blueprint machine (FIG. 1), the

continuous blueprint output of which (referred to as the supply) is numbered 16. This continuously supplied print is periodically sheared off by a cutter 17 (FIG. 2), and the blueprint portion below cutter 17 (as shown in FIG. 2) is hereinafter referred to as the first work unit. Cutter 17 is automatically operated by relay devices hereinafter described, in response to a signal generated by phototube 19 (FIG. 2). The photosensitive device 19 senses a reference mark 14 on the supply print 16. Reflected light from the reference mark causes the device 19 to produce a signal which indicates that the processing of the first Work unit should be completed. Reference mark 14 is located on the supply and is displaced from the trailing edge point of the first work unit by a predetermined amount. Reference' mark 14 is near the leading edge of the second work unit.

The blueprint supply is threaded into the machine by first and second feed rollers 22 and 21, and these feed rollers are stopped immediately before the cutting means 17 performs its operation. Further, feed rollers 22 and 2.1 remain stopped until the pleating and first cross-folding operations on the first work unit have been completed.

In order to provide for the stopping of feed rollers 22 and 21, the feed rollers are provided with a brake 55 and a clutch 62 (FIG. 5). The brake 55 is applied and the clutch 62 is opened, by means described in application Serial No. 859,360, thereby arresting the movement of the feed rollers and uncoupling the feed rollers from the driving elements 108, 109, and 56 (FIG. 1).

After the pleating operation, which is performed by the mechanism including the creasing means 28, 27 (FIG. 2), and the first cross-folding operation, performed by means 36 and 39 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 6), the feed rollers 21 and 22 are restarted, and they continue to run until just before the following or second Work unit is severed. It will be seen, therefore, that the function of the feed rollers is to feed out each work unit to the creasing mechanism, preparatory to the pleating operation, and to hold the leading edge of the second work unit stationary during the last stage of the pleating operation on the first work unit.

One of the advantages of the present invention resides in the fact that, while the feed rollers 21 and 22 are periodically braked and held stationary, the supply machine 15 continues to run. This advantage is achieved by reason of the automatic operation of the slack take-up device generally indicated at 23 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4). It comprises a pair of idler rollers 24 and 25, the axis of rotation of each of which is fixed, and a floating idler roller 26, the axis of rotation of which is automatically varied in relation to the amount of slack to be taken up.

Having generally described the feeding and slack takeup mechanisms which feed Work units to the pleating apparatus, unit by unit, while permitting continuity of operation of the supply machine, the description proceeds to the sequence of forming operations on the first work unit, for example. Among the features of the invention is a novel arrangement for performing the first forming operation: i.e., placing the successive work units into accordion form. This novel arrangement comprises a tray 33 (FIGS. 1 and 2), together with first and second creasing roller means 28 and 27 (FIGS. 1 and 2) which are located above the tray for creasing the work unit while feeding it in loose accordion form into the tray. Creasing roller means 28 is formed with 'a first longitudinal depression and a first diametrically opposed longitudinal projection. The other creasing roller means 27 is formed with a. second longitudinal projection and a second diametrically opposed longitudinal depression (the depressions and pro jections :being shown in the parent patent application Serial No. 859,360). The creasing \means 28 and 27 are driven by gears 106 and 107 and are disposed with their axes parallel to the width of the work unit 18 which is threaded and compressed therebetween. Gear 1116 is driven by gear 108, which is in turn driven by gear 1119. Motor 56 drives gear 109. The creasing means rotate and form the work unit into an accordion or pleated shape, the edge of each pleat extending widthwise of the print. The basic operation of our improved creasing means will be understood by reference to literature relating to devices for forming successive bends and reverse bends, such as US. Patent 2,414,681 to Whalen, issued January 21, 1947.

The work unit 18 is compressed between the first projection and the second depression to make the first alternate folds of the accordion form. As the work unit continues to be threaded through the creasing roller means, it is compressed between the second projection and the first depression to make the second alternate folds of the accordion form.

It has been shown how alternate folds of the work unit are successively gravitationally fed to the tray 33.

The invention provides first and second stacking roller means 85 and 86 (85 only being FIG. 1). The stacking roller means effectively comprises rollers located on opposite sides of the tray. For example, the first stacking roller means consists of a plurality of sub-rollers 29 and pulleys 30, which drive a like plurality of continuous belts such as 31. At the end of each belt 31 opposite subroller 29 is a pulley 311. The sub-rollers 29 are mounted on a shaft 149 which is suitably driven by means hereinafter described. The stacking means 86 is similar in operation and construction to the stacking means 85. To provide room for the cross-folding mechanism 39, the first stacking roller means 85 is divided into synchronized sections with two subrollers 29 being provided in each section. Stacking means 86 is similarly arranged.

The stacking roller means are provided with first and second groups of resilient wipers (a representative one of the first group being designated 32 in FIG. 1). The stacking rollers are driven by means including 56, 109, 108, 106, 104, and 105 in synchronism with the creasing roller means, in such a manner that the groups of wipers bend and wipe the opposite folds of the accordion form as the work unit is deposited on the tray.

Having described the mechanism which performs the pleating operation, reference is again made to FIG. 2. As the final fold of the first work unit is deposited on tray 33, the lagging edge of that work unit passes Zone 37 and permits light from source 35 to impinge on a second photosensitive means 34. At this time the work unit is in accordion form and is on tray 33, whereupon the phototube 34 initiates the first cross-folding operation through controls later described herein. The first cross-folding device comprises a pair of swing-arm type tucking devices 36 and 39 (best shown in FIG. 6). The purpose of these tucking devices is to push the accordion symmetrically between a pair of rollers 40 and 41. These rollers are arranged in a manner similar to the rollers in a wringer, so that when the tucking devices 36 and 39 press the accordion between the rollers, the rollers cross-fold the accordion and deliver it to a slide or frame 49. Various cross-folding devices are per se described in the literature. See, for example, US. Patent 2,106,953 to Ludewig, issued February 1, 1938. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the first cross-folding rollers 40 and 41 are geared together, and they are driven by a motor 131, via a chain belt 139, which engages a sprocket on the end of roller 41).

Tucking device 39 is representative, and device 36 is generally similar. Device 39 comprises a tucking element 156 which is adapted to be elevated and depressed by an arm 157, which in turn is angularly positioned by a connecting rod 123. Tucking element 156 is stabilized and maintained in proper angularity by a parallelogram type linkage comprising elements 158, 159, and 164 (FIG. 6).

The connecting rod 123 is elevated or depressed by a crank 124, which in turn is turned by a shaft 125 (FIG. 1). Shaft 125 is driven by a chain and sprocket mechanism 126, which in turn is driven by a sprocket 162 (FIG. 1).

4 Sprocket 162 is secured to the end of shaft 115, and shaft is driven-through a single revolution clutch 114 by a sprocket 113. This sprocket in turn is driven by belt 112, and that belt is driven by a gear in the creasing roll system (FIG. 6).

Adjacent sprocket 162 (FIG. 1) and also on shaft 115, is a gear 165 (FIG. 6) which meshes with a similar gear 166 to drive a sprocket (not shown; similar to sprocket 162, FIG. 1). The last-mentioned sprocket drives a chain and sprocket mechanism 167, similar to chain and sprocket mechanism 126, in order to actuate the tucking device 36.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that when single revolution clutch 1 14 (FIG. 1) is engaged, the first cross-folding device goes through one cycle of operation, actuating the tucking devices 36 and 39, folding the accordion work unit, and feeding it into slide or frame 49.

The second cross-folding apparatus comprises rollers 43 and 44 (FIGS. 1 and 6) mounted with their axes in the same vertical plane and parallel to frame 49, centrally of frame 49. When a blueprint work unit is tucked between these two rollers, they perform the second crossfolding operation. The tucking is done by a thrust member 50 slidably mounted in a suitably machined framework. Element 50 is driven by a linkage comprising arm 117, links 118419 and (these three being fixed together as a unit), and connecting rod 121, and the connecting rod is depressed or elevated by crank 116 on shaft 152 (FIG. 6). The machine is so timed that when the tucking devices 36 and 39 perform their tucking operation on a given work unit, thrust member 50 performs its tucking operation on a preceding work unit.

When a cross-folded accordion is positioned in frame 49, thrust member 50 strikes it centrally and forces it between rollers 43 and 44, so that it is cross-folded for the second time and discharged into a tray 51, disposed near and below the second cross-folding device. The rollers 43 and 44 are geared together and driven by belt as shown in FIG. 1.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that rollers 40, 41, 43, and 44 are continuously driven, through belt 130, by motor 131. It will further be understood that the tucking devices 36, 39, and 50 are actuated through one cycle when clutch 114 is engaged, the engagement of this clutch mechanically coupling shaft 115 to the driving chain 112, which chain in turn is driven (FIG. 6) from the creasing roller system.

The over-all cycle of operations is now discussed.

Referring to the block diagram (FIG. 5) of the principal electrical components, there is provided a first photosensitive control and signaling device 19. This device detects that a work unit 18 is appropriately positioned in the machine for processing, and it then initiates the processing of such work unit. This processing consists of these steps: cutting oif the trailing edge of the work unit, pleating or forming it into an accordion form, and finally double cross-folding it. The device 19 detects, by reflected light, a reference mark on the border of the blueprint supply 16, and then initiates a sequence of operations now described.

Preparatory to cutting off the trailing edge of the work unit, the feeding rollers and the creasing rollers are stopped by their brakes 55 and 45, respectively. The creasing rollers are stopped only for a very brief period sufficient for the cutting operation, but the feeding rollers remain stopped until the pleating operation on that Work unit has been completed. Accordingly, there is provided a relay which is independently coupled to the driving motor 56 for the feeding and creasing rollers, and to the creasing roller brake 45, in such a way that when relay 155 is energized it interrupts the power circuit to the driving motor 56 and applies the creasing roller brake 45. Additionally, relay 155 is coupled to the cutter actuator 57 by a relay 65, and it closes contacts in relay 65 to energize the cutter actuator. The cutter actuator is in turn provided with a limit switch 58 which opens to de-energize relays 155 and 65 upon the completion of the operation. There is also provided a relay 54 which is coupled to and controls an electromagnetic brake 55 which stops the feed rollers prior to the performance of the cutting operation.

Therefore it will be seen that when photosensitive signaling device 19 detects the reference mark on the blueprint, the machine functions in this manner: (1) the drive 56 is de-energized; (2) the feed roller brake 55 is applied; (3) the creasing roller brake is applied; and (4) the print is cut.

The first three functions are performed substantially simultaneously, and then the work unit is severed from the supply.

The driving motor 56 and the creasing rollers are stopped only long enough for the cutting operation to be performed, and that is the reason why limit switch 56 is interposed between the cutter actuator 57 and the relay 155 in such a manner as to de-energize that relay as well as relay 65 upon the completion of the cutting operation.

For the reasons stated, the first relay means 54 may be thought of as a device which tells or orders the brake to stop the feeding rollers and to keep them stopped until the pleating operation is completed. The second relay means 155 may be thought of as a device which tells or orders the driving motor 56 and the creasing rolls to stop when the trailing edge of a work unit is to be cut off, and to start when the severance of that work unit is completed. It also tells or orders the cutter actuator 57 to perform the cutting operation.

Having recounted the events which occur upon the initiation of the processing of a work unit, the discussion now proceeds to the actual processing, and it will conclude with the events occurring at the end of such processing.

The work unit 18 is compressed between the creasing rollers 27 and 28 to form the alternate folds of an accordion, and it is secured in accordion form by the stacking device on tray 33. Making reference now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that as long as a work unit is interposed between light source 35 and a second photosensitive signaling device 34, there is no light on that signaling device. The second signaling device 34 senses the completion of the pleating operation because the work unit is no longer so interposed. The second photosensitive signaling device then initiates two sets of operations, the first of which is cross-folding, and the second of which is restarting the feed rollers in order to position a new work unit in the machine.

That is to say, as the first cross-folding operation is made on the first work unit, the feeding of the second work unit is initiated as soon as the creasing rolls are appropriately positioned to accept it. Parenthetically, the preferred embodiment of the invention is so arranged and timed that the second cross-folding operation is made on the work unit preceding the one here designated as the first work unit for purposes of describing the operations, at the same time as the first cross-folding operation is made on the first work unit.

The cross folding system (elsewhere described in detail herein) is brought into a cycle of operation by a folder actuator 46. That is, when the folder actuator 46 is energized, the crossfolding operations are initiated. Actuator 46 is energized when the following conditions are fulfilled: (1) Porcessing of the first work unit has been ordered by energizing of the first relay means 54 in the manner described above, relay means 54 being provided with an output which sets up a control circuit in a relay 66; (2) the second photosensitive signaling device 34 sends signals, via closed contacts in relay 61, to the control circuit in relay 66, which, being set up, then energizes the folder actuator 46.

The cross-folding mechanism goes through one complete cycle when actuator 46 is energized, the actuator closing a single revolution clutch 114 for that purpose. The crossfolding system includes a limit switch 67, which at the bottom of its stroke causes relay 66 to be energized, thereby tie-energizing the folder actuator 46. It will be seen from the foregoing that relay 66 is a relay means which, when de-energized, responds to the action of energized relay 54 and signaling device 34 (via deenergized relay 61) to initiate the cross-folding operations. Relay 66 further responds to the closing of limit switch 67 to become energized and then to start a sequence of events which causes a new work unit to be fed into the machine.

Relay 66 is therefore a device which tells the crossfolding system to operate and, upon the completion of such operation, establishes the sequence of events required for the feeding of a new work unit into the machine.

The feeding of the second work unit is controlled by a relay 61. Relay 61 is energized by relay 66 when limit switch 66 is closed, and this limit switch closes when the creasing drums are in a position such that they will properly receive a new work unit, if the feeding rolls are restarted. The cross-folding mechanism 39 is associated with an arming switch 154 which is closed only when the cross-folding mechanism is in its position of rest, and this switch 154 is included in circuit between limit switch 60 and relay 66 to assure that the cross folding arms are in the rest position when the feeding of a new work unit into the machine begins.

When relay 61 is energized these events occur: (1) Its own holding circuit is established; (2) the feeding roller clutch 62 is closed; outputs from relay 61 cause relays 66 and 54 to be de-energized, and, when relay 54 is tie-energized, it releases the feed roller brake 55 so that the feed rolls are engaged to supply the second work unit into the creasing rolls. In summary, we have seen that when the second photosensitive device 34 is energized, the first work unit is folded and deposited in slide 49, while a preceding work unit already in slide 49 is cross-folded for the second time. Further, the feed rolls are engaged to drive the second work unit into the creasing rolls. When the leading edge of the second work unit interrupts light passing from source 35 to photosensitive device 34, relay 61 is de-energized and the feed roller clutch 62 is opened, so that the feed rollers go into a free-wheeling condition and remain in that condition until the reference mark 14- near the leading edge of the third work unit registers with the first signaling device 19, whereupon another cycle of operations is initiated.

The electrical control system of the machine is disclosed and claimed in our US. patent application Serial No. 195,119, filed May 16, 1962, entitled Blueprint Folding Machine, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application and invention.

The description of certain of the elements of the system is now amplified. Referring particularly to the slack take-up device illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, it comprises idler rollers 24 and 25 and a gravitationally positioned roller 26 which is mounted on a shaft 140, movable vertically up and down in guide slots such as 141 provided in a mounting frame 142, 147. The blueprint supply passes over roller 24, then under roller 26, and then over roller 25, and the operation is such that roller 26 is raised when slack decreases and lowered When slack increases. This action is automatic. Swingably mounted at 143 is an arm 14% which positions a gear 144. Gear 144 in turn meshes with a spur gear M5 to control the adjustment of the slack take-up control potentiometer 1 .6 (FIG. 3), and this potentiometer automatically controls the speed of motor drive 56 (FIGS. 1 and 5) in such a manner as to prevent excessive slack. To illustrate, a slack increase is indicated by depression of roller 26 and counter-clockwise swing of arm 148, adjusting potentiometer 146 to increase the speed of the variable motor drive 56. This action occurs when the blueprint folding machine is not keeping up with the blueprint supply machine 15. On the other hand, let it be assumed that the blueprint supply machine slows down. In that case, the roller 26 is lifted, positioning ar-m 148 in such a manner as to cause the motor drive 56 to decrease in speed, thus maintaining the desired synchronism between the blueprint supply machine 15 and our novel blueprint folding machine.

Also in accordance with the invention, there are provided start switch 136 and stop switch 135 (FIGS. 3 and 5). When power is turned on, print material is supplied at 16 to the folding machine, and the slack take-up roller 26 depresses. When it reaches a position at which arm 148 actuates start switch 136, motor drive 56 (FIG. 1) is energized and the folding machine starts. This operation assures that some slack will be present when the folding machine starts. In the event that the blueprint supply machine 15 stops, the roller 26 is elevated until arm 148 closes a stop switch 135, and this switch is so arranged as to stop the drive 56 in that event. The drive 56 cannot restart until the slack take-up roller 26 lowers to the point at which the start switch 136 is again closed.

Parenthetically, a sprocket is secured to and rotates with the shaft of roller means 28 in order to drive the chain belts 104 and 165 (FIG. 1) which drive the stacking mechanism. Keyed to that shaft is a gear 106 which drives a similar gear for the creasing roller 27.

While there has been shown and described what is at present believed to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the true scope of the invention as defined by the appended claim.

We claim:

In combination with a blueprint supply machine and a blueprint folding machine having periodically arrested feeding means, a slack take-up device for maintaining the supply from the supply machine to the folding machine in tension when the feeding means is arrested, comprising: a plurality of idler rollers across which the supply is threaded, a gravitationally-positioned slack take-up roller weighing down the slack intermediate the idler rollers, said take-up roller being mounted on a shaft, means formed with slots slidably receiving said shaft for guiding the slack take-up roller in its vertical displacements, means for driving the feeding means, continuous governor means comprising an electrical control element having a rotatably mounted gear and a single swinging arm actuated by the slack take-up roller shaft for turning the gear and controlling the speed of the driving means in such a manner as to increase such speed in proportion to the amount of slack taken up, a stop switch positioned to be actuated by said arm to stop the driving means when said take-up roller is in an upper vertical position, and a start switch positioned to be actuated by said arm to start the driving means when said take-up roller is in a lower vertical position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,304,565 Henderson May 27, 1919 1,673,521 Maas June 12, 1928 2,800,326 Berger July 23, 1957 

